Check Up At Vet

[Aussiesue]

Brought my 3 girls home Sunday and have booked them in for a vet check up tomorrow. Not sure if is the best choice of vet but I guess good to see while it is nothing urgent. It is at a pet store - has an animal hospital/vet incorporated. Seems at the better end of the scale of pet stores (if there is such a thing.) Has anyone had good experience at a vet at a pet store? They see lots of guinea pigs and rabbits apparently so seemed a little more experienced than a couple of others I rang that just mostly see dogs and cats.

Have noticed them scratching a little so keen to investigate that.

 

[klee]

Good that you are getting them checked over and registered at a vet before you need one urgently. At least you have the opportunity to see how they are with the pigs and you can make your judgement whether you want to stay there or not. No experience of vets in pet shops to be honest, in my personal opinion it shouldn't make a difference the location of the vets- more the vets own experience and knowledge basis.

Guinea pigs do scratch occasionally and can have phases where they will scratch for a few minutes and then stop, sometimes it can just be a normal itch, or that it is warm, but definitely worth a check early than leaving it if it is something to get worse.

 

[Briony_S]

Good you are getting them checked! Hope they turn out to be ok! They do scratch but if it is excessive best to be safe! Mine are currently being treated for lice. I happened to notice that when sitting with them for a few mins most of them had a good itch, I checked their fur (best place is rump or behind ears) and found some nasties! I'm sure yours will be ok but better to get it checked out!

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

I have taken my pigs to a vet located in a pet store before. They are their own practice, that just happens to be located in a pet store. Granted they weren't cavy savvy, but were still able to prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes a regular vet is better than no vet! Hope there is no problem with your pigs, and it just turns out to be normal occasional itchiness!

 

[Aussiesue]

Thanks guys. Now fingers crossed I can successfully get them from their cage to their carrier tomorrow! Have a smallish box so going to try out using that to help move them.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

When in doubt, a good vegetable bribe always works!

 

[Briony_S]

Try putting carrier on its side in cage with veggies in and they may go in by themselves!

 

[Aussiesue]

Genius - why didn't I think of that. Will definitely give that a go as it sounds a bit less stressful all round! Thanks heaps. This forum has been so fabulous for a new piggie mum.
I'm sure I'll get more confident with the hands on side of things down the track but have been a tad nervous about it which probably doesn't help them feel cosy.

 

[Briony_S]

Don't worry your doing great, just being on here and obtaining all the info is the best start your pigs can get! Not many people do that! I've kept Guineas for about 5-6 years and I am still learning and I have 2 very Ferrell Guineas at the minute as it takes a while to tame them no matter who you are and it also depends on how they were treated prior to you having them.

 

[Aussiesue]

Thanks Briony - popped the carrier into the cage today and they scuttled inside in less than a minute - very low stress on everyone! I was so relieved!
Clean bill of health at the vet - she check their teeth, confirmed they were girls, felt tummies and what not. Cinnamon seemed to have quite a full bladder so she took her out back to check that - all fine.

Just in case a dose of invermectin behind the ears. She said they looked in good health.
So far so good.

Can't wait for our grids to arrive so we can make them their C and C cage. Shipping 10th Jan apparently.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

Glad to hear their checkup went well! I hate waiting for stuff to come in the mail-I'm way too impatient! Hopefully it will come in sooner and you can get their palace all set up